Ethical aspects in scientific literature on participatory research approaches with older adults: a scoping review protocol
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This scoping review will systematically map and synthesize the ethical aspects addressed in the scientific literature on participatory research involving older adults. It will examine both procedural or principle-based research ethics and relational or situational ethics, exploring how these are shaped by contexts and considerations of diversity. The review will also identify conceptual frameworks and gaps to inform research and ethical practice. INTRODUCTION: Participatory research with older adults is gaining momentum, with ethical considerations central to such approaches. Yet the ethical complexity of participatory processes is often underreported. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies will be included if they focus on individuals aged 60 and over who are involved in research through consultative, collaborative, or co-decisional roles. Eligible studies must explicitly address ethical aspects related to procedural or principle-based research ethics, relational or situational ethics, or both. METHODS: Given the growing emphasis on ethical considerations in participatory research involving older adults, a scoping review is appropriate for mapping the extent, range, and nature of the available evidence. The review will follow JBI methodology and established scoping review frameworks, incorporating both descriptive quantitative and qualitative analyses. Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, and Sociological Abstracts will be searched for relevant records. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts, and assess full texts for inclusion, with a third reviewer consulted as needed. Findings will be organized under conceptual and thematic headings and presented in tables, figures, and descriptive synthesis. REVIEW REGISTRATION: OSF https://osf.io/mr89x.
Source: JBI Evidence Synthesis
Institutions: Universitat de Barcelona, Jagiellonian University, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Marmara University, Jerusalem College of Technology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Akdeniz University, University of Ljubljana, University of Eastern Finland, Goethe University Frankfurt, Riga Stradiņš University, Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi, Universidade Politécnica de Castelo Branco, INSIGHT - Piaget Research Center for Ecological Human Development, Instituto Piaget, Istituto Nazionale di Riposo e Cura per Anziani
Language: English
Topic: Ethics in Clinical Research
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7160843237